EVENTS PROGRAMME
The Royal Society of Portrait Painters presents a series of special events to complement the RP Annual Exhibition 2025:
Artist Demonstration | Richard Kitson
Thursday 8 May, 11am
Known for revealing the quiet presence of his sitters, Richard Kitson will discuss working from life and his practice of capturing character without idealisation while painting from life. Free with gallery admission, no booking required.
John Singer Sargent: Portrait Drawings in Charcoal
Saturday 10 May, 4pm
A lecture by Richard Ormond, independent art historian and the great-nephew of John Singer Sargent, on the artist's charcoal portraits.
In comparison with his portraits in oil, John Singer Sargent's charcoal portraits are relatively little known. These portraits capture the essence of British and American high society in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, portraying an elite clientele that includes aristocracy, royalty, politicians, artists, writers, actors, financiers and philanthropists.
'It is important for the Society to be reminded of its tradition and Sargent certainly represents one strand of that tradition, a quite glorious strand', says President of the RP, Anthony Connolly. 'That contemporary portrait painters can see their work in such company is a wonderful opportunity for comparison,' he says, 'for noting similarities and differences, which will, in both cases, surprise some of us.'
Richard's book, John Singer Sargent: The Charcoal Portraits will be published on 24 June.
Tickets £10, including admission to the exhibition (normally £6).
Artist Demonstration | Olivia Pang
Tuesday 13 May, 2pm
Watch Olivia Pang demonstrate painting in her contemporary Gongbi style (meaning meticulous/tidy brushwork). She has developed this technique from traditional Chinese painting and follows a style that spans back 2,000 years.
Artist Demonstration | Sonia Pang
Thursday 15 May, 11am
Join Sonia Pang for this insightful demonstration of portraiture's ability to transcend likeness and reveal the essence of the sitter. Sonia will share her expressive, anatomy-informed approach - guided by light, gesture and line. Free with gallery admission, no booking required.
Neuro-art: How your brain perceives art
Thursday 15 May, 6pm (for 6:30pm start) to 8pm
The Royal Society of Portrait Painters presents a special talk and original research on the AI revolution.
What is the difference between looking at a real painting and looking at a reproduction?
What exactly happens in the brain when you look at Girl with a Pearl Earring?
The Dutch neuroscientist, Martijn den Otter, can tell you.
Not only that, the Royal Society of Portrait Painters has asked Martijn to conduct some research on this year's shortlist for The William Lock Portrait Prize. The results promise to be fascinating…
Martijn will discuss his findings and his project at art museum, the Maurithuis, in the wider context of the AI revolution which is just beginning to unfold.
The event will be followed by the awarding of The William Lock Portrait Prize, the Society's £20,000 prize "for the most timeless portrait with a real feeling for paint and its aesthetic potential" in its annual exhibition.
Tickets £15, including a glass of wine and admission to the exhibition.
Artist Demonstration | Lucy Stopford
Friday 16 May, 2pm
Discover the expressive power of alla prima portraiture with artist Lucy Stopford. She will demonstrate her dynamic technique and bold, intuitive brushstrokes that evoke freshness and immediacy. Free with gallery admission, no booking required.
Talk: "My Face is a Masterpiece" | Painting Adam Pearson
Saturday 17 May, 3:30pm
As part of International Face Equality Week 2025 (12 to 19 May) and its theme "My Face is a Masterpiece", this event explores portraiture, identity, and representation through the lens of art and film.
Acclaimed portrait artist Tim Benson RP sits down with award-nominated Hollywood actor and activist Adam Pearson (A Different Man, 2024) to discuss the experience of sitting for his portrait, which was exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery in 2024 as part of the Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award.
Joined by representatives from Face Equality International, the conversation will explore how portraiture and storytelling can challenge perceptions of beauty and identity, celebrating the uniqueness of every face.
‘We’re calling upon anyone and everyone to get involved in face equality week, whether you have a facial difference or not.’ - Face Equality International
Tickets £10, including admission to the exhibition.
